Staff Page

Meet Our Staff!

We offer you warmest regards and greetings from the pastors and staff at College Avenue Friends Church!

James Tower, Pastor

James Tower has served College Avenue Friends since 2013. He describes the way God has been at work in his life by saying that "He has been creating in me the heart of a pastor, the mind of a scholar, and the zeal of a missionary." James has a nontraditional background as Jesus has given him freedom from the slavery of addiction to drugs and his journey to faith came later in life after an overdose in 2001. He graduated with a M. Div with an emphasis in biblical studies from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland Oregon in 2016. His desire is to preach Christ-centered, biblical messages, generally in series through whole biblical books. He has a love for teaching and revealing the historical and doctrinal context from which the biblical text arises, and connecting its redemptive message to life today. Other interests include teaching a leadership class at William Penn, writing, and metalwork such as blacksmithing, a passion which he enjoys teaching others as a way of discipleship.

Tyler Albert, Youth Pastor

Tyler Albert is a new addition to the College Avenue family, recently beginning his service in 2018. He has long felt called to minister to students, and grew up plugged in to volunteering opportunities in his hometown of Eldon IA. He is currently a multisport athlete at William Penn University, competing on the football team and hurling a javelin on the track team, and where he majors in engineering. Tyler is also active in campus ministry, where he is involved in a ministry specifically for football students called Fifth Quarter, which he helped found and now leads. Tyler is excited to help youth grow in their relationship with Jesus and be equipped to reach out and serve in Jesus' name.

641.226.2245

tyler@cafchurch.org

Pat Brainard and Becke Arnold, our Secretarial Team

Pat and Becke, though long beloved members of our community, have felt led to co-serve as Secretary since 2017. Pat (left) is the primary secretary, with Becke filling in at various points. Both are active leaders in the church, with Pat serving on the Christian Ed committee, and Becke often seen serving as a song leader during worship. They both are friendly, helpful, and professional, and work together well. They generally are in the office from 8:30-11:30 M-F, with one fun caveat: they both bowl together on a team and when season is underway they switch Thursdays to the afternoon from 12:15-3:15.